This is one of those times that an article I point to just might make you really, really angry.
Remember that one of the most important jobs of children is to subvert the will of adults.
Now read this: A Best Friend? You Must Be Kidding
Now doubt you’ll have your own favorite part; mine is this:
“I think it is kids’ preference to pair up and have that one best friend. As adults — teachers and counselors — we try to encourage them not to do that,” said Christine Laycob, director of counseling at Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School in St. Louis. “We try to talk to kids and work with them to get them to have big groups of friends and not be so possessive about friends.”
“Parents sometimes say Johnny needs that one special friend,” she continued. “We say he doesn’t need a best friend.”
Here’s the crux:
That attitude is a blunt manifestation of a mind-set that has led adults to become ever more involved in children’s social lives in recent years.
This nonsense is unfortunately exemplary of the hideous deals that all too many “counselors” try to work in schools; it’s their full employment program. That parents go along is in part a reflection of their unwillingness to act as independent adults themselves.
And the touchy-feely counselor types somehow get off on manipulating children and parents.
Noteworthy that The Times places this article in the Fashion & Style section!
Good grief!